Hot and cold holding system

ABSTRACT

A food pan well includes a base defining an internal cavity and a temperature regulating system disposed within the internal cavity. The base is configured to support a food pan such that the food pan is selectively suspendable within the internal cavity. The temperature regulating system includes a cooling assembly configured to facilitate cooling at least a sidewall of the food pan and a warming assembly configured to facilitate warming at least a bottom surface of the food pan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/984,002, filed May 18, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/508,816, filed May 19, 2017, bothof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Food products may need to be maintained at a certain temperature (e.g.,before being served to a customer, etc.). For example, many foodproducts need to be maintained in a certain temperature range to providea desired eating experience or to comply with food safety regulations.Food products are traditionally maintained at a desired temperatureusing a unit that provides a temperature-controlled environment. By wayof example, food pans may be typically heated in one set of wells andcooled in another set of wells of a temperature regulation unit.However, such split temperature regulation units require a largefootprint and do not allow a food service operator to easily change theconfiguration of the food serving line or preparation line.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a food pan well. The food pan well includes abase defining an internal cavity and a temperature regulating systemdisposed within the internal cavity. The base is configured to support afood pan such that the food pan is selectively suspendable within theinternal cavity. The temperature regulating system includes a coolingassembly configured to facilitate cooling at least a sidewall of thefood pan and a warming assembly configured to facilitate warming atleast a bottom surface of the food pan.

Another embodiment relates to a food pan well. The food pan wellincludes a base defining an internal cavity and a temperature regulatingsystem disposed within the internal cavity. The base is configured tosupport a food pan such that the food pan is selectively suspendablewithin the internal cavity. The temperature regulating system includes acooling assembly and a warming assembly. The cooling assembly includesat least one of a cooling conduit or an air current generator. Thecooling conduit is configured to receive a thermally regulated workingfluid. The cooling conduit is positioned proximate a sidewall of thefood pan when the food pan is suspended within the internal cavity. Theair current generator is configured to provide a cooled air currentwithin the internal cavity. The warming assembly includes an inductionheating coil and an inverter. The induction heating coil is positionedbeneath a bottom wall of the food pan when the food pan is suspendedwithin the internal cavity. The inverter is configured to regulate powerprovided to the induction heating coil.

Still another embodiment relates to a food pan well. The food pan wellincludes a base and a temperature regulating system. The base defines aninternal cavity. The base is configured to support a plurality of foodpans such that the plurality of food pans are selectively suspendablewithin the internal cavity simultaneously. The temperature regulatingsystem includes a cooling assembly and a warming assembly. The coolingassembly includes a plurality of cooling conduits positioned within theinternal cavity and a plurality of cooling pumps. Each of the pluralityof cooling conduits is positioned proximate a sidewall of a respectiveone of the plurality of food pans when the respective one of theplurality of food pans is suspended within the internal cavity. Each ofthe plurality of cooling pumps is associated with one of the pluralityof cooling conduits and configured to drive a working fluidtherethrough. The warming assembly includes a plurality of inductionheating coils positioned within the internal cavity and an inverter.Each of the plurality of induction heating coils is positioned beneath arespective one of the plurality of food pans when the respective one ofthe plurality of food pans is suspended within the internal cavity. Theinverter is configured to regulate power provided to each of theplurality of induction heating coils.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being carried outin various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to otherfeatures and combinations of features as may be recited herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a temperature regulation unit, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a warming and cooling system of thetemperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a warming and cooling system of thetemperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a warming and cooling system of thetemperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to still anotherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the temperature regulation unit of FIG.1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a single-zone warming or cooling system ofthe temperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a multi-zone warming or cooling system ofthe temperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a combined, multi-zone warming and coolingsystem of the temperature regulation unit of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are various views of user interfaces of the combined,multi-zone warming and cooling system of FIG. 8, according to variousexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a combined, single-zone, inline warmingand cooling system of the temperature regulation unit of FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIGS. 12-14 are various views of user interfaces of the combined,single-zone, inline warming and cooling system of FIG. 11, according tovarious exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a temperature regulation unit(e.g., a hot-cold well, a hot-cold food pan holder, etc.) includes awarming assembly that utilizes heating mechanisms (e.g., inductionheaters, radiant heaters, Peltier devices, blanket heaters, stripheaters, etc.) and/or a cooling assembly including cooling mechanisms(e.g., an evaporative gas cooling system, a Peltier cooling system,cooling coils, Peltier devices, etc.). The temperature regulation unitmay be capable of switching between a heating operation and a coolingoperation, may be capable of providing a heating operation to a firstzone and a cooling operation to a second zone simultaneously, and/or maybe capable of providing varying degrees of heating and/or cooling to twoor more zones simultaneously. An electronic control unit may control andregulate the temperature of one or more food pans received by thetemperature regulation unit. Such a temperature regulation unit mayadvantageously save space in kitchen operations, save time, and/orprovide a more sanitary environment. Traditional hot-cold wells requirewater systems to provide steam to heat food pans which may be large andunsanitary. The temperature regulation unit may also include anadjustable base that accommodates pans of different depths.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a temperatureregulation unit, shown as hot-cold well 10, includes a housing orenclosure, shown as base 20; a control unit, shown as control unit 40;and a temperature regulation system, shown as warming and cooling system100. As shown in FIG. 1, the user interface 42, the controller 50, andthe warming and cooling system 100 are at least partially disposedwithin and/or coupled to the base 20. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the base 20 is made from a non-metallic material. As shownin FIG. 1, the base 20 has a plurality of sidewalls, shown as sidewalls22, that define the outer shape of the base 20. According to theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base 20 is rectangular inshape. In other embodiments, the base 20 is otherwise shaped (e.g.,square, circular, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the base 20 includes asurface, shown as top surface 24, that extends around the periphery ofthe sidewalls 22. The sidewalls 22 and the top surface 24 cooperativelydefine a cavity, shown as pan cavity 26, that selectively receives oneor more pans (e.g., stainless steel food pans, etc.), shown as food pans30, and houses the warming and cooling system 100. As shown in FIG. 1,the base 20 includes a protrusion, shown as ledge 28, that extendsaround the periphery of the sidewalls 22 and is at least partiallyrecessed into the pan cavity 26. In other embodiments, the ledge 28extends inward from the sidewall 22. The ledge 28 is positioned toprovide a surface for the food pans 30 to rest on such that the foodpans 30 are suspended within the pan cavity 26.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base 20 is configured to support two half-sizedfood pans 30. The base 20 may also support a single, full-sized food pan30. In other embodiments, the base 20 is sized to receive three or morehalf-sized food pans 30 and/or two or more full-sized food pans 30. Insome embodiments, a single, full-sized food pan 30 is replaceable withthree on-third-sized food pans 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the food pans 30define a cavity, shown as food cavity 32. The food cavities 32 of thefood pans 30 may have various depths to accommodate (e.g., receive,hold, store, etc.) different types of food products. In someembodiments, the base 20 is adjustable such that food pans 30 havingvarious depth food cavities 32 may be received by the base 20. By way ofexample, the food cavities 32 of the food pans 30 may facilitate a user(e.g., chef, cook, staff, owner, etc.) in separating or arrangingvarious items (e.g., hot and cold items, solid and liquid items, alignsandwiches or ice cream bars, etc.). For example, one food cavity 32 mayreceive a liquid-based food product (e.g., soup, etc.), and another foodcavity 32 may receive a solid-based food product (e.g., sandwiches,pasta, etc.). As another example, one food cavity 32 may receive a firstfood product that is desirable when warm and another food cavity 32 mayreceive a second food product that is desirable when cold.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the warming and cooling system 100 includes anenclosure, shown as internal enclosure 110; a first thermal assembly,shown as cooling assembly 130; a second thermal assembly, shown aswarming assembly 140; and one or more power devices, shown as inverters150. In some embodiments, the warming and cooling system 100additionally includes an air current device (e.g., a fan, a blower,etc.), shown as air current generator 160; a humidifier device, shown ashumidifier 170; and/or one or more sensors, shown as sensors 180.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the internal enclosure 110 includes a bottomsurface, shown as a bottom wall 114, and a plurality of sidewalls, shownas internal sidewalls 112, that extend around the periphery of thebottom wall 114. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom wall 114 at leastpartially extends upward along the periphery thereof (e.g., forms atleast a portion of the internal sidewalls 112, etc.). In otherembodiments, the bottom wall 114 is flat. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, theinternal sidewalls 112 and the bottom wall 114 cooperatively define aninternal cavity, shown as temperature regulated cavity 120. Thetemperature regulated cavity 120 is configured to receive the food pans30 when the food pans 30 are inserted within the pan cavity 26 of thebase 20 such that the internal enclosure 110 surrounds at least aportion of the food pans 30. According to an exemplary embodiment, theinternal sidewalls 112 are manufactured from a first material and thebottom wall 114 is manufactured from a different, second material.According to an exemplary embodiment, the internal sidewalls 112 aremanufactured from a metal or a metal alloy, and the bottom wall 114 ismanufactured from a plastic or a polymer material. In some embodiments,the internal sidewalls 112 and/or the bottom wall 114 are manufacturedfrom another type of material (e.g., a ceramic material, etc.). In otherembodiments, the internal sidewalls 112 and the bottom wall 114 aremanufactured from the same material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the warming and cooling system 100is configured to facilitate heating and/or cooling the contents storedwithin the food cavities 32 of the food pans 30. In some embodiments,the warming and cooling system 100 is configured to facilitatedifferentially heating and/or cooling the food pans 30 received withinthe hot-cold well 10. By way of example, one food pan 30 may be heatedto a first temperature (e.g., 90 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.) and a secondfood pan 30 may be heated to a second, different temperature (e.g., 120degrees Fahrenheit, etc.). By way of another example, one food pan 30may be cooled to a first temperature (e.g., 45 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.)and a second food pan 30 may be cooled to a second, differenttemperature (e.g., 30 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.). By way of yet anotherexample, one food pan 30 may be heated to a first temperature (e.g., 90degrees Fahrenheit, etc.) and a second food pan 30 may be cooled to asecond, different temperature (e.g., 30 degrees Fahrenheit, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cooling assembly 130 includes a pluralityof cooling elements, shown as cooling coils 132, positioned along andaround the periphery of the internal sidewalls 112 of the internalenclosure 110. The cooling coils 132 may thereby be positioned betweenthe sidewalls 22 of the base 20 and the internal sidewalls 112 of theinternal enclosure 110. In some embodiments, the cooling coils 132 areadditionally or alternatively positioned along the bottom wall 114 ofthe internal enclosure 110. The cooling coils 132 may be manufacturedfrom copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and/or still another material.In some embodiments, the cooling coils 132 may be positioned at varyingheights along the internal sidewalls 112 to facilitate providingdiffering cooling effects with the cooling assembly 130.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling coils 132 are used ina refrigeration cycle to facilitate performing a cooling operation onfood products stored within one or more of the food pans 30. By way ofexample, the cooling coils 132 may receive a working fluid (e.g., arefrigerant such as R-134a, etc.) in the refrigeration cycle. Theworking fluid may flow through the cooling coils 132 and absorb thermalenergy (e.g., evaporation, etc.) from a surrounding environment, thefood products, the internal sidewalls 112, and/or the food pans 30,reducing the temperatures thereof (e.g., to maintain a targettemperature or target temperature range of the food products, etc.). Theabsorbed thermal energy (e.g., heat, etc.) may be rejected into thesurrounding environment (e.g., room, air, etc.) through the remainingsteps in the refrigeration cycle (e.g., compression, condensation,expansion, etc.). The cooling assembly 130 of FIGS. 2 and 4 may therebybe configured as an evaporative cooling refrigeration system. In otherembodiments, the cooling assembly 130 additionally or alternativelyincludes a different type of cooling element (e.g., a thermoelectriccooler, a Peltier device, a solid-state refrigeration system, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the warming assembly 140 includes a heatingelement (e.g., an induction coil, a work coil, etc.), shown as heatingcoil 142, positioned along the bottom wall 114 of the internal enclosure110. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating coil 142 includes a portion,shown as curved portion 144, that extends at least partially along theinternal sidewalls 112. The heating coil 142 may thereby be configuredas a three-dimensional heating coil that extends in three directions orplanes (i.e., horizontally along the bottom wall 114 in width andlength, and vertically along the internal sidewalls 112). In otherembodiments, the heating coil 142 is configured as two-dimensionalheating coil that extends in two directions or planes (i.e.,horizontally along the bottom wall 114 in width and length). As shown inFIG. 4, the warming assembly 140 includes a second heating element,shown as second heating coil 146, positioned beneath the heating coil142 such that the warming assembly 140 includes two layers of heatingelements.

In one embodiment, the heating coil 142 and/or the second heating coil146 are each a single, continuous coil. The single, continuous coil maybe arranged in a zig-zag pattern, a square pattern, a circular pattern,a rectangular pattern, and/or still another pattern. In otherembodiments, the heating coil 142 and/or the second heating coil 146each includes a plurality of discrete heating coils or an array ofheating coils (e.g., a plurality of spaced coils, etc.). Each of theheating coils within the array may be individually controlled tofacilitate providing varying amounts of thermal energy across thehot-cold well 10 (e.g., facilitates providing zoned control where afirst zone is heated at a first temperature, a second zone is heated ata second temperature, etc.). The heating coil 142 and/or the secondheating coil 146 may have a flat cross-sectional profile, a circularcross-sectional profile, an ovular cross-sectional profile, a squarecross-sectional profile, a rectangular cross-sectional profile, and/orstill another cross-sectional profile.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the heating coil 142 and/or thesecond heating coil 146 are configured to facilitate performing awarming or heating operation on food products stored within one or moreof the food pans 30. By way of example, the heating coil 142 and/or thesecond heating coil 146 may provide thermal energy (e.g., heat, etc.) tothe food products positioned within the food pans 30 (e.g., to maintaina target temperature or target temperature range of the food products,etc.) through the bottom wall 114 and/or at least a portion of theinternal sidewalls 112. According to an exemplary embodiment, theheating coil 142 and/or the second heating coil 146 are induction coils.The inverters 150 are configured to regulate the power provided to theheating coil 142 and/or the second heating coil 146 to control theamount of thermal energy provided to the food pans 30. In oneembodiment, the inverter 150 is a single inverter device that powersboth the heating coil 142 and the second heating coil 146. In anotherembodiment, the inverter 150 includes a first inverter device thatpowers the first heating coil 142 and a second inverter device thatpowers the second heating coil 146. In other embodiments, the warmingassembly 140 additionally or alternatively includes a different type ofheating element (e.g., a strip heater, a Peltier device, a resistiveheating element, a radiant heating element, a tubular element or otherheating conduit that receives a heated working fluid, a blanket heatingelement, etc.).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the warming and coolingsystem 100 includes a metal plate (e.g., a stainless steel plate, analuminum plate, an aluminum/stainless steel alloy plate, a Currie pointalloy plate, etc.), shown as thermal distribution plate 149. The thermaldistribution plate 149 may be positioned above the bottom wall 114(e.g., such that the bottom wall 114 is positioned between the thermaldistribution plate 149 and the heating coil 142, etc.) and/or below thebottom wall 114 (e.g., such that the thermal distribution plate 149 ispositioned between the bottom wall 114 and the heating coil 142, etc.).According to an exemplary embodiment, the thermal distribution plate 149is configured to spread the thermal energy (e.g., heat, etc.) providedby the warming assembly 140 (e.g., the heating coil 142, the secondheating coil 146, etc.) more evenly across the bottom surface of thefood pans 30 (e.g., eliminate hot spots, provide a consistent amount ofthermal energy across the bottom of the food pans 30, etc.).

In some embodiments, the cooling coils 132, the heating coil 142, and/orthe second heating coil 146 are embedded into a block (e.g., an aluminumblock, etc.) that is shaped to correspond with the internal enclosure110 and/or the food pans 30. In some embodiments, the block replaces theinternal enclosure 110. The block may facilitate transferring thermalenergy to or removing thermal energy from the food pans 30 directlybetween the block and the food pans 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the warming and cooling system 100 does not includethe cooling coils 132. Rather, the warming and cooling system 100includes a plurality of dual-functioning thermal elements, shown asPeltier devices 134. According to an exemplary embodiment, the Peltierdevices 134 have dual functionality such that they are capable ofproviding both a heating operation and a cooling operation (e.g., asolid state refrigeration system, etc.). The inverters 150 (e.g., aseparate inverter, a second inverter, a third inverter, etc.) may beconfigured to regulate the power provided to the Peltier devices 134(e.g., by a DC power supply, etc.) to control the amount of thermalenergy provided to or removed from the food pans 30. The Peltier devices134 may be capable of being powered individually such that zoned heatingand/or cooling may be provided.

The Peltier devices 134 may be variously positioned about the internalenclosure 110 such that one or more Peltier devices 134 are positionedalong and/or engage with one or more of the internal sidewalls 112(e.g., between the sidewalls 22 of the base 20 and the internalsidewalls 112 of the internal enclosure 110, etc.) and one or morePeltier devices 134 are positioned along and/or engage with the bottomwall 114. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating coil 142 defines an aperture,shown as aperture 148, and the bottom wall 114 includes a portion, shownas portion 118, that is manufactured from a different material than theremainder of the bottom wall 114. By way of example, the portion 118 maybe manufactured from the same or similar material as the internalsidewalls 112 (e.g., a metal, a metal alloy, etc.) or different thanboth the material of the internal sidewalls 112 and the bottom wall 114.As shown in FIG. 3, the aperture 148 is positioned to align with theportion 118 of the bottom wall 114 and receive at least a portion of aPeltier device 134 such that the Peltier device 134 extends through theaperture 148 and engages the portion 118 of the bottom wall 114. In someembodiments, the heating coil 142 defines a plurality of apertures 148and the bottom wall 114 has a plurality of portions 118 spaced along thebottom wall 114 such that the warming and cooling system 100 may includea plurality of the Peltier devices 134 positioned along the bottom wall114. The Peltier devices 134 may provide the cooling operation alone andprovide the heating operation either alone or in combination with theheating coil 142 (and/or the second heating coil 146).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the air current generator 160 ispositioned about the hot-cold well 10 and configured to facilitateproviding an air current layer to the food pans 30 (e.g., within thetemperature regulated cavity 120, etc.) and/or across the tops of thefood pans 30. Providing the air current layer to the food pans 30 mayfacilitate providing convective heat transfer. Providing the air currentlayer across the tops of the food pans 30 may prevent contaminants frominteracting with the food products within the food pans 30. According toan exemplary embodiment, the humidifier 170 is positioned about thehot-cold well 10 and configured to facilitate providing moisture (i.e.,humidity) to the air current layer and/or within the temperatureregulated cavity 120 to increase the thermal capacity (e.g., the coolingcapacity of the cooling assembly 130, the cooling coils 132, the Peltierdevices 134, etc.).

In some embodiments, the hot-cold well 10 includes a drain positionedwithin the internal enclosure 110 (e.g., within the bottom wall 114,etc.) to facilitate cleaning and draining the temperature regulatedcavity 120 (e.g., draining water, cleaning solutions, food products,etc. from the temperature regulated cavity 120). In some embodiments,the bottom wall 114 is angled, sloped, or curved to improve the cleaningand draining of the temperature regulated cavity 120.

The sensors 180 may include one or more temperature sensors (e.g., athermistor, etc.) positioned to facilitate monitoring the temperature ofthe cooling coils 132, the Peltier devices 134, the heating coils 142,the internal sidewalls 112, the bottom wall 114, the temperatureregulated cavity 120, the food pans 30, and/or the food products withinthe food cavities 32 of the food pans 30. The sensors 180 mayadditionally or alternatively include one or more detection sensorspositioned to detect the presence (or lack thereof) of a food pan 30above a respective heating coil 142 or Peltier device 134 of the warmingassembly 140 and/or proximate a respective cooling coil 132 or Peltierdevice 134 of the cooling assembly 130. The detection of a respectivefood pan 30 may facilitate activating the warming assembly 140 and/orthe cooling assembly 130 only in areas or zones where a food pan 30 ispositioned. The detection sensors may include current sensors, infraredsensors, weight sensors, a switch (e.g., that is engaged by a food pan30 when set into the pan cavity 26, etc.), and/or still other detectionsensors.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the control unit 40 includes an interface,shown as user interface 42, and a controller, shown as controller 50. Inone embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to selectively engage,selectively disengage, control, and/or otherwise communicate withcomponents of the hot-cold well 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the controller50 is coupled to the user interface 42 and the warming and coolingsystem 100 (e.g., the cooling assembly 130, the warming assembly 140,the inverters 150, the air current generator 160, the humidifier 170,the sensors 180, etc.). In other embodiments, the controller 50 iscoupled to more or fewer components. By way of example, the controller50 may send and receive signals with the user interface 42, the coolingassembly 130, the warming assembly 140, the inverters 150, the aircurrent generator 160, the humidifier 170, and/or the sensors 180.

The controller 50 may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP),circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry forsupporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or othersuitable electronic processing components. According to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 5, the controller 50 includes a processingcircuit 52 and a memory 54. The processing circuit 52 may include anASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or moreprocessing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 52 is configuredto execute computer code stored in the memory 54 to facilitate theactivities described herein. The memory 54 may be any volatile ornon-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable of storing data orcomputer code relating to the activities described herein. According toan exemplary embodiment, the memory 54 includes computer code modules(e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code, machinecode, etc.) configured for execution by the processing circuit 52.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 42 facilitatescommunication between an operator (e.g., cook, chef, staff member, etc.)of the hot-cold well 10 and one or more components (e.g., the coolingassembly 130, the warming assembly 140, the inverters 150, the aircurrent generator 160, the humidifier 170, the sensors 180, etc.) of thewarming and cooling system 100. By way of example, the user interface 42may include at least one of an interactive display, a touchscreendevice, one or more buttons (e.g., a stop button configured to turn theunit off, buttons allowing a user to set a target temperature, buttonsto turn a lighting element on and off, etc.), and switches. In oneembodiment, the user interface 42 includes a notification device (e.g.,alarm, light, display, etc.) that notifies the operator when thehot-cold well 10 is on, off, in a standby mode, in a heating mode,and/or in a cooling mode. In some embodiments, a display of the userinterface shows a current temperature of the cooling coils 132, thePeltier devices 134, the heating coils 142, the internal sidewalls 112,the bottom wall 114, the temperature regulated cavity 120, the food pans30, and/or the food products within the food cavities 32 of the foodpans 30.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 50 is configured toreceive temperature data from the sensors 180 regarding a temperature ofthe cooling coils 132, the Peltier devices 134, the heating coils 142,the internal sidewalls 112, the bottom wall 114, the temperatureregulated cavity 120, the food pans 30, and/or the food products withinthe food cavities 32 of the food pans 30. The controller 50 may beconfigured to actively control the cooling assembly 130, the warmingassembly 140, the inverters 150, the air current generator 160, and/orthe humidifier 170 to regulate the temperature of the food productswithin the food pans 30 such that the temperature thereof is maintainedat a current temperature or brought to a desired temperature.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 50 is configured toreceive detection data from the sensors 180 regarding the presence (orlack thereof) of one or more food pans 30 disposed within the pan cavity26. By way of example, the controller 50 may be configured toselectively activate and deactivate portions of the cooling assembly 130(e.g., individual Peltier devices 134, individual sections of thecooling coils 132, etc.) and/or the warming assembly 140 (e.g.,individual Peltier devices 134, individual sections of the heating coils142 and/or the second heating coils 146, etc.) such that only portionsof the cooling assembly 130 and/or the warming assembly 140 proximate(e.g., below, adjacent, etc.) the food pans 30 are activated (e.g., toprovide zoned control, etc.). The controller 50 may be configured toprovide zoned temperature control based on a user input received withthe user interface 42 such that a first food pan 30 is thermallyregulated at a first temperature (e.g., 90 degrees, etc.) and a secondfood pan 30 is thermally regulated at a second temperature (e.g., 40degrees, 100 degrees, etc.).

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the hot-cold well10 additionally or alternatively includes a second temperatureregulation unit, shown as single-zone warming or cooling system 200. Thesingle-zone warming or cooling system 200 may be used in combinationwith the warming and cooling system 100 or in place of the warming andcooling system 100. In some embodiments, the hot-cold well 10 includes aplurality of single-zone warming or cooling systems 200 (e.g., one foreach full-sized food pan 30, one for each one-third-sized food pan 30,etc.).

As shown in FIG. 6, the single-zone warming or cooling system 200includes a conduit, shown as coiled piping 202; a pump, shown as fluidpump 204, configured to pump a working fluid (e.g., water, arefrigerant, a water-glycol mixture, low viscosity oil, etc.) throughthe coiled piping 202; a thermal element, shown as thermal element 206,positioned along the coiled piping 202 and configured to thermallyregulate the working fluid; and a sensor, shown as temperature sensor208, positioned to facilitate monitoring the temperature of the workingfluid, the coiled piping 202, the temperature regulated cavity 120,and/or associated food pan(s) 30. In one embodiment, the coiled piping202 spans the entire temperature regulated cavity 120 (e.g., asingle-pan cavity, a multi-pan cavity, etc.). In other embodiments, thecoiled piping 202 spans only a portion of the temperature regulatedcavity 120 such that the hot-cold well 10 may include a plurality ofsingle-zone warming or cooling systems 200 (e.g., one associated witheach full-sized food pan 30, etc.). The coiled piping 202 may bepositioned on the bottom and/or sides of the temperature regulatedcavity 120 or a zone of the temperature regulated cavity 120 associatedtherewith. The coiled piping 202 may be manufactured from copper,stainless steel, or still another thermally conductive material.

In one embodiment, the thermal element 206 is a cooling element. By wayof example, the thermal element 206 may be or include a Peltier coolingelement positioned within the coiled piping 202 (e.g., the working fluidflows over the thermal element 206, etc.). By way of another example,the thermal element 206 may be another type of cooling element (e.g., athermoelectric cooler, a solid-state refrigeration system, a heatexchanger used as part of a refrigeration system, positioned around thecoiled piping 202, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, thecooling element is configured to cool the working fluid to a desiredtemperature to thermally regulate the contents within associated foodpans 30.

In another embodiment, the thermal element 206 is a heating element. Byway of example, the thermal element 206 may be or include a tubularinduction heating coil positioned around a portion of the coiled piping202. By way of another example, the thermal element 206 may be anothertype of heating element (e.g., a heat exchanger used as part of aheating system, a boiler, a Peltier device, etc.). According to anexemplary embodiment, the heating element is configured to heat theworking fluid to a desired temperature to thermally regulate thecontents within associated food pans 30. In some embodiments, thethermal element 206 is a dual-functioning thermal element (e.g., capableof providing both a heating operation and the cooling operation, aPeltier heating and cooling device, etc.). In some embodiments, thehot-cold well 10 includes at least one single-zone warming or coolingsystem 200 having a cooling element and at least one single-zone warmingor cooling system 200 having a heating element to facilitate providingcooling to one zone and heating to another zone of the temperatureregulated cavity 120.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the hot-cold well10 additionally or alternatively includes a third temperature regulationunit, shown as multi-zone warming or cooling system 300. The multi-zonewarming or cooling system 300 may be used in combination with thewarming and cooling system 100 or in place of the warming and coolingsystem 100. In some embodiments, the hot-cold well 10 includes aplurality of multi-zone warming or cooling systems 300 (e.g., one foreach full-sized food pan 30, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 7, the multi-zone warming or cooling system 300includes a plurality of warming or cooling assemblies, shown as firstwarming or cooling assembly 310, second warming or cooling assembly 320,and third warming or cooling assembly 330. In one embodiment, each ofthe first warming or cooling assembly 310, the second warming or coolingassembly 320, and the third warming or cooling assembly 330 isassociated with a single, full-sized food pan 30. In another embodiment,the first warming or cooling assembly 310, the second warming or coolingassembly 320, and the third warming or cooling assembly 330 arecooperatively associated with a single, full-sized food pan 30 such thateach of the first warming or cooling assembly 310, the second warming orcooling assembly 320, and the third warming or cooling assembly 330 isassociated with a single, one-third-sized food pan 30. In such anembodiment, the multi-zone warming or cooling system 300 may beconfigured to provide variable heating and/or cooling to subzones withina respective zone associated with each of the first warming or coolingassembly 310, the second warming or cooling assembly 320, and the thirdwarming or cooling assembly 330, respectively (e.g., a zone defined by asingle, full-sized food pan 30 is divided into three subzones, eachassociated with a single, one-third-sized food pan 30, etc.). In otherembodiments, the multi-zone warming or cooling system 300 includes feweror greater than three warming and cooling assemblies (e.g., two, four,five, etc.). In some embodiments, the hot-cold well includes a pluralityof multi-zone warming or cooling system 300 (e.g., one for eachfull-sized food pan 30, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 7, the first warming or cooling assembly 310 includes afirst conduit, shown as first coiled piping 312; a first pump, shown asfirst fluid pump 314, configured to pump a first working fluid (e.g.,water, a refrigerant, a water-glycol mixture, low viscosity oil, etc.)through the first coiled piping 312; a first thermal element, shown asfirst thermal element 316, positioned along the first coiled piping 312and configured to thermally regulate the first working fluid; and afirst sensor, shown as first temperature sensor 318, positioned tofacilitate monitoring the temperature of the first working fluid, thefirst coiled piping 312, the temperature regulated cavity 120, and/orassociated food pan(s) 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second warming or cooling assembly 320 includesa second conduit, shown as second coiled piping 322; a second pump,shown as second fluid pump 324, configured to pump a second workingfluid (e.g., water, a refrigerant, a water-glycol mixture, low viscosityoil, etc.) through the second coiled piping 322; a second thermalelement, shown as second thermal element 326, positioned along thesecond coiled piping 322 and configured to thermally regulate the secondworking fluid; and a second sensor, shown as second temperature sensor328, positioned to facilitate monitoring the temperature of the secondworking fluid, the second coiled piping 322, the temperature regulatedcavity 120, and/or associated food pan(s) 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the third warming or cooling assembly 330 includes athird conduit, shown as third coiled piping 332; a third pump, shown asthird fluid pump 334, configured to pump a third working fluid (e.g.,water, a refrigerant, a water-glycol mixture, low viscosity oil, etc.)through the third coiled piping 332; a third thermal element, shown asthird thermal element 336, positioned along the third coiled piping 332and configured to thermally regulate the third working fluid; and athird sensor, shown as third temperature sensor 338, positioned tofacilitate monitoring the temperature of the third working fluid, thethird coiled piping 332, the temperature regulated cavity 120, and/orassociated food pan(s) 30.

The first coiled piping 312, the second coiled piping 322, and/or thethird coiled piping 332 may be positioned on the bottom and/or sides ofthe temperature regulated cavity 120 or a zone of the temperatureregulated cavity 120 associated therewith. The first coiled piping 312,the second coiled piping 322, and/or the third coiled piping 332 may bemanufactured from copper, stainless steel, or still another thermallyconductive material. In one embodiment, the multi-zone warming orcooling system 300 includes a single inverter 150 that drives each ofthe first thermal element 316, the second thermal element 326, and thethird thermal element 336. In another embodiment, the multi-zone warmingor cooling system 300 includes a plurality of inverters 150, one foreach of the first thermal element 316, the second thermal element 326,and the third thermal element 336.

In one embodiment, the first thermal element 316, the second thermalelement 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 are heating elements.By way of example, the first thermal element 316, the second thermalelement 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 may be or include atubular induction heating coil positioned around a portion of the firstcoiled piping 312, the second coiled piping 322, and/or the third coiledpiping 332, respectively. By way of another example, the first thermalelement 316, the second thermal element 326, and/or the third thermalelement 336 may be another type of heating element (e.g., a heatexchanger used as part of a heating system, a boiler, a Peltier device,etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the heating elements areconfigured to heat the first working fluid, the second working fluid,and/or the third working fluid, respectively, to a desired temperatureto thermally regulate the contents within associated food pans 30.

In another embodiment, the first thermal element 316, the second thermalelement 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 are cooling elements.By way of example, the first thermal element 316, the second thermalelement 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 may be or include aPeltier cooling element positioned within the first coiled piping 312,the second coiled piping 322, and/or the third coiled piping 332,respectively. By way of another example, the first thermal element 316,the second thermal element 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 maybe another type of cooling element (e.g., a thermoelectric cooler, asolid-state refrigeration system, a heat exchanger used as part of arefrigeration system, positioned around the respective coiled piping,etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling elements areconfigured to cool the first working fluid, the second working fluid,and/or the third working fluid, respectively, to a desired temperatureto thermally regulate the contents within associated food pans 30. Insome embodiments, the first thermal element 316, the second thermalelement 326, and/or the third thermal element 336 are dual-functioningthermal elements (e.g., capable of providing both a heating operationand the cooling operation, a Peltier heating and cooling device, etc.).In some embodiments, the hot-cold well 10 includes at least onemulti-zone warming or cooling system 300 having heating elements and atleast one multi-zone warming or cooling system 300 having coolingelements to facilitate providing heating to one zone and cooling toanother zone of the temperature regulated cavity 120.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the hot-cold well10 additionally or alternatively includes a fourth temperatureregulation unit, shown as multi-zone warming and cooling system 400. Themulti-zone warming and cooling system 400 may be used in combinationwith the warming and cooling system 100 or in place of the warming andcooling system 100. In some embodiments, the hot-cold well 10 includes aplurality of multi-zone warming and cooling systems 400 (e.g., one foreach full-sized food pan 30, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 8, the multi-zone warming and cooling system 400includes a combination of the single-zone warming or cooling system 200and the multi-zone warming or cooling system 300. In one embodiment, (i)the thermal element 206 of the single-zone warming or cooling system 200is a cooling element and (ii) each of the first thermal element 316, thesecond thermal element 326, and the third thermal element 336 of themulti-zone warming or cooling system 300 is a heating element. In suchan embodiment, the single-zone warming or cooling system 200 isconfigured to provide cooling to a respective zone of the hot-cold well10, while the multi-zone warming or cooling system 300 is configured toprovide variable heating to subzones of the respective zone of thehot-cold well 10. In another embodiment, (i) the thermal element 206 ofthe single-zone warming or cooling system 200 is a heating element and(ii) each of the first thermal element 316, the second thermal element326, and the third thermal element 336 of the multi-zone warming orcooling system 300 is a cooling element. In such an embodiment, thesingle-zone warming or cooling system 200 is configured to provideheating to a respective zone of the hot-cold well 10, while themulti-zone warming or cooling system 300 is configured to providevariable cooling to subzones of the respective zone of the hot-cold well10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first coiled piping 312, the second coiledpiping 322, and the third coiled piping 332 include a first portion,shown as first section 340, a second portion, shown as second section342, and a third portion, shown as third section 344, respectively, thatthe first thermal element 316, the second thermal element 326, and thethird thermal element 336 are coupled to. In some embodiments, the firstsection 340 of the first coiled piping 312, the second section 342 ofthe second coiled piping 322, and/or the third section 344 of the thirdcoiled piping 332 are manufactured from a different material that theremainder of the first coiled piping 312, the second coiled piping 322,and/or the third coiled piping 332, respectively (e.g., when theremainder of the first coiled piping 312, the second coiled piping 322,and/or the third coiled piping 332 is manufactured from copper, etc.).By way of example, the first section 340, the second section 342, and/orthe third section 344 may be manufactured from stainless steel.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the user interface 42 of the hot-cold well10 having the multi-zone warming and cooling system 400 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. The user interface 42 of themulti-zone warming and cooling system 400 includes a first portion,shown as power interface 60, a second portion, shown as coolinginterface 70, and a third portion, shown as warming interface 80. Asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the power interface 60 includes a button, shownas power button 62, and a pair of indicators, shown as cooling indicator64 and warming indicator 66. The power button 62 may facilitate turningthe hot-cold well 10 on and off. The cooling indicator 64 may illuminateto indicate that the hot-cold well 10 is in a cooling mode. The warmingindicator 66 may illuminate to indicate that the hot-cold well 10 is ina warming mode. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cooling interface 70includes an adjuster, shown as cooling dial 72 and an indicator, shownas cooling activation indicator 74. The cooling dial 72 may facilitateadjusting a cooling temperature of the hot-cold well 10 (e.g., of thesingle-zone warming or cooling system 200, etc.). The cooling activationindicator 74 may illuminate to indicate a cooling system of the hot-coldwell 10 is active.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the warming interface 80 includes a firstadjuster, shown as first warming dial 82, a first indicator, shown asfirst warming activation indicator 83, a second adjuster, shown assecond warming dial 84, a second indicator, shown as second warmingactivation indicator 85, a third adjuster, shown as third warming dial86, and a third indicator, shown as third warming activation indicator87. The first warming dial 82 may facilitate adjusting a warmingtemperature of a first zone of the hot-cold well 10 (e.g., the firstwarming or cooling assembly 310, etc.), the second warming dial 84 mayfacilitate adjusting a warming temperature of a second zone of thehot-cold well 10 (e.g., the second warming or cooling assembly 320,etc.), and the third warming dial 86 may facilitate adjusting a warmingtemperature of a third zone of the hot-cold well 10 (e.g., the thirdwarming or cooling assembly 330, etc.). The first warming activationindicator 83, the second warming activation indicator 85, and the thirdwarming activation indicator 87 may illuminate to indicate a respectivezone of a warming system of the hot-cold well 10 is active. In otherembodiments, the cooling interface 70 facilitates independentlycontrolling a plurality of cooling zones and/or the warming interface 80facilitates controlling a single warming zone.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the hot-coldwell 10 additionally or alternatively includes a fifth temperatureregulation unit, shown as single-zone, inline warming and cooling system500. The single-zone, inline warming and cooling system 500 may be usedin combination with the warming and cooling system 100 or in place ofthe warming and cooling system 100. In some embodiments, the hot-coldwell 10 includes a plurality of single-zone, inline warming and coolingsystems 500 (e.g., one for each full-sized food pan 30, one for eachone-third-sized food pan 30, etc.). In some embodiments, the hot-coldwell 10 includes any combination of the warming and cooling system 100,the single-zone warming or cooling systems 200, the multi-zone warmingor cooling systems 300, the multi-zone warming and cooling systems 400,and the single-zone, inline warming and cooling systems 500 (e.g.,different warming and/or cooling systems positioned to thermallyregulate different zones of the temperature regulated cavity 120, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 11, the single-zone, inline warming and cooling system500 includes a conduit, shown as coiled piping 502; a pump, shown asfluid pump 504, configured to pump a working fluid (e.g., water, arefrigerant, a water-glycol mixture, low viscosity oil, etc.) throughthe coiled piping 502; a first thermal element, shown as cooling element506, positioned along the coiled piping 502 and configured to cool theworking fluid; a second thermal element, shown as heating element 508,positioned along the coiled piping 502, in line with the cooling element506, and configured to heat the working fluid; and a sensor, shown astemperature sensor 510, positioned to facilitate monitoring thetemperature of the working fluid, the coiled piping 502, the temperatureregulated cavity 120, and/or associated food pan(s) 30.

In one embodiment, the coiled piping 502 spans the entire temperatureregulated cavity 120 (e.g., a single-pan cavity, a multi-pan cavity,etc.). In other embodiments, the coiled piping 502 spans only a portionof the temperature regulated cavity 120 such that the hot-cold well 10may include a plurality of single-zone, inline warming and coolingsystems 500 (e.g., one associated with each full-sized food pan 30,etc.). The coiled piping 502 may be positioned on the bottom and/orsides of the temperature regulated cavity 120 or a zone of thetemperature regulated cavity 120 associated therewith. The coiled piping502 may be manufactured from copper, stainless steel, or still anotherthermally conductive material. As shown in FIG. 11, the coiled piping502 includes a portion, shown as section 512, that the cooling element506 and/or the heating element 508 are coupled to. In some embodiments,the section 512 of the coiled piping 502 is manufactured from adifferent material than the remainder of the coiled piping 502 (e.g.,when the remainder of the coiled piping 502 is manufactured from copper,etc.). By way of example, the section 512 may be manufactured fromstainless steel.

By way of example, the cooling element 506 may be or include a Peltiercooling element positioned within the coiled piping 502 (e.g., theworking fluid flows over the cooling element 506, etc.). By way ofanother example, the cooling element 506 may be another type of coolingelement (e.g., a thermoelectric cooler, a solid-state refrigerationsystem, a heat exchanger used as part of a refrigeration system,positioned around the coiled piping 502, etc.). According to anexemplary embodiment, the cooling element 506 is configured to cool theworking fluid to a desired temperature to thermally regulate thecontents within associated food pans 30.

By way of example, the heating element 508 may be or include a tubularinduction heating coil positioned around the section 512 of the coiledpiping 502. By way of another example, the heating element 508 may beanother type of heating element (e.g., a heat exchanger used as part ofa heating system, a boiler, a Peltier device, etc.). According to anexemplary embodiment, the heating element 508 is configured to heat theworking fluid to a desired temperature to thermally regulate thecontents within associated food pans 30.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, the user interface 42 of the hot-cold well 10having the single-zone, inline warming and cooling system 500 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 12-14, the userinterface 42 has a control interface 90 including a button, shown aspower button 92, an adjuster, shown as temperature dial 94, and a pairof indicators, shown as cooling indicator 96 and warming indicator 98.The power button 92 may facilitate turning the hot-cold well 10 on andoff. The temperature dial 94 may facilitate adjusting a coolingtemperature or a warming temperature of the hot-cold well 10 (e.g., ofthe cooling element 506, of the heating element 508, etc.). The coolingindicator 96 may illuminate to indicate that the hot-cold well 10 is ina cooling mode (e.g., the cooling element 506 is active, etc.). Thewarming indicator 98 may illuminate to indicate that the hot-cold well10 is in a warming mode (e.g., the heating element 508 is active, etc.).

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, as used herein, mean thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g.,removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers or the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate membersbeing attached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in itsexclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list ofelements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in thelist. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, andZ,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood withthe context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, Z, X and Y, X and Z, Y and Z, or X, Y, and Z (i.e., anycombination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is notgenerally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at leastone of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present,unless otherwise indicated.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the systems and methods as shown in the exemplaryembodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled inthe art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies ofthe components described herein may be constructed from any of a widevariety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, inany of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations.Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications,changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions,and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from scope of the present disclosure or from the spirit of theappended claims.

1. A food pan well comprising: a base defining an internal cavity, thebase configured to support a food pan such that the food pan isselectively suspendable within the internal cavity; and a temperatureregulating system disposed within the internal cavity, the temperatureregulating system including: a cooling assembly configured to facilitatecooling at least a sidewall of the food pan; and a warming assemblyconfigured to facilitate warming at least a bottom surface of the foodpan.
 2. The food pan well of claim 1, wherein the cooling assemblyincludes: a cooling conduit configured to receive a cooling workingfluid; and a cooling pump configured to drive the cooling working fluidthrough the cooling conduit.
 3. The food pan well of claim 2, whereinthe food pan is a first food pan, the cooling conduit is a first coolingconduit associated with the first food pan, and the cooling pump is afirst cooling pump, wherein the base is configured to support a secondfood pan at the same time as the first food pan, and wherein the coolingassembly includes a second cooling conduit associated with the secondfood pan and a second pump associated with the second cooling conduit.4. The food pan well of claim 1, wherein the warming assembly includes:a warming conduit configured to receive a warming working fluid; and awarming pump configured to drive the warming working fluid through thewarming conduit.
 5. The food pan well of claim 4, wherein the food panis a first food pan, the warming conduit is a first warming conduitassociated with the first food pan, and the warming pump is a firstwarming pump, wherein the base is configured to support a second foodpan at the same time as the first food pan, and wherein the warmingassembly includes a second warming conduit associated with the secondfood pan and a second pump associated with the second warming conduit.6. The food pan well of claim 1, wherein the warming assembly includes:an induction heating coil; and an inverter configured to regulate powerprovided to the induction heating coil.
 7. The food pan well of claim 6,wherein the food pan is a first food pan, the induction heating coil isa first induction heating coil associated with the first food pan,wherein the base is configured to support a second food pan at the sametime as the first food pan, wherein the warming assembly includes asecond induction heating coil associated with the second food pan, andwherein the inverter is configured to regulate the power provided to thefirst induction heating coil and the second induction heating coil. 8.The food pan well of claim 6, wherein the food pan is a first food pan,the induction heating coil is a first induction heating coil associatedwith the first food pan, and the inverter is a first inverter associatedwith the first induction heating coil, wherein the base is configured tosupport a second food pan at the same time as the first food pan,wherein the warming assembly includes a second induction heating coilassociated with the second food pan and a second inverter associatedwith the second induction heating coil, and wherein the second inverteris configured to regulate the power provided to the second inductionheating coil independent of the first inverter.
 9. The food pan well ofclaim 1, wherein the cooling assembly includes an air current generatorconfigured to provide a cooled air current within the internal cavity.10. The food pan well of claim 9, wherein the air current generator isconfigured to provide the cooled air current across a top of the foodpan.
 11. The food pan well of claim 1, wherein the food pan is a firstfood pan having a first depth, wherein the base is configured to supporta second food pan having a second depth, and wherein the second food panis interchangeable with the first food pan.
 12. The food pan well ofclaim 1, further comprising a thermal distribution plate positionedwithin the internal cavity, the thermal distribution plate configured tospread thermal energy provided by the warming assembly evenly across thebottom surface of the food pan.
 13. The food pan well of claim 1,wherein the temperature regulating system includes an internal enclosurepositioned within the internal cavity, the internal enclosure includinga bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending around the bottom wall,the bottom wall and the peripheral wall cooperatively defining atemperature regulating cavity that at least partially receives the foodpan, wherein at least one of the cooling assembly or the warmingassembly is positioned outside of the temperature regulating cavity. 14.The food pan well of claim 13, wherein the bottom wall is manufacturedfrom a first material and the peripheral wall is manufactured from asecond material different than the first material.
 15. A food pan wellcomprising: a base defining an internal cavity, the base configured tosupport a food pan such that the food pan is selectively suspendablewithin the internal cavity; and a temperature regulating system disposedwithin the internal cavity, the temperature regulating system including:a cooling assembly including at least one of: a cooling conduitconfigured to receive a thermally regulated working fluid, the coolingconduit positioned proximate a sidewall of the food pan when the foodpan is suspended within the internal cavity; or an air current generatorconfigured to provide a cooled air current within the internal cavity;and a warming assembly including: an induction heating coil positionedbeneath a bottom wall of the food pan when the food pan is suspendedwithin the internal cavity; and an inverter configured to regulate powerprovided to the induction heating coil.
 16. The food pan well of claim15, wherein the cooling assembly includes the cooling conduit.
 17. Thefood pan well of claim 15, wherein the cooling assembly includes the aircurrent generator.
 18. The food pan well of claim 17, wherein thewherein the air current generator is configured to provide the cooledair current across a top of the food pan when the food pan is suspendedwithin the internal cavity.
 19. The food pan well of claim 15, whereinthe cooling assembly includes the cooling conduit and the air currentgenerator.
 20. A food pan well comprising: a base defining an internalcavity, the base configured to support a plurality of food pans suchthat the plurality of food pans are selectively suspendable within theinternal cavity simultaneously; and a temperature regulating systemincluding: a cooling assembly including: a plurality of cooling conduitspositioned within the internal cavity, each of the plurality of coolingconduits positioned proximate a sidewall of a respective one of theplurality of food pans when the respective one of the plurality of foodpans is suspended within the internal cavity; and a plurality of coolingpumps, each of the plurality of cooling pumps associated with one of theplurality of cooling conduits and configured to drive a working fluidtherethrough; and a warming assembly including: a plurality of inductionheating coils positioned within the internal cavity, each of theplurality of induction heating coils positioned beneath a respective oneof the plurality of food pans when the respective one of the pluralityof food pans is suspended within the internal cavity; and an inverterconfigured to regulate power provided to each of the plurality ofinduction heating coils.